Rocket-Propelled

Washington Lawmakers and generals agree it is time to stop launching U.S. national security spacecraft with Russia’s RD-180 rocket engine, but after that U.S. military space-launch policy is a free-for-all. With the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) progrqm on its last legs, four companies are at work on whatever may come next.

By Frank Morring,Guy Norris

1415

Up Front

Single or Twin-Aisle?

A new Boeing Middle of the Market (MOM) jet is widely viewed as inevitable. The Airbus A321neo continues to outgun Boeing’s 737 MAX-9 in the 180-200-seat segment. For both manufacturers, there is a product offering gap in the 200-250-seat medium-range (4,000-5,000-nm) segment.

By Richard Aboulafia

2627

DEFENCE

Continent of Contrasts

Santiago, Chile While seemingly isolated from the belligerence of Vladimir Putin’s Russia or the crises in the Middle East, Latin American countries are attempting to modernize their armed forces. A more stable region than it was 10-20 years ago, Latin America’s nations are today preparing for greater cooperation both regionally and internationally, and are looking for multiple-mission aircraft capable of carrying victims of disasters as well as transporting troops onto the battlefield.

By Tony Osborne

3233

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Merger Mania

Los Angeles Alaska Airlines has been maintaining its Seattle market share despite an ongoing battle with Delta Air Lines but recently discovered a problem. Alaska had already launched service to nearly every viable market in North America from its main hub, and it wanted to expand further.

By Brian Sumers

4041

UNMANNED AVIATION

Flying Solo

Los Angeles NASA researchers, together with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) are planning demonstrations of an autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) capable of planning, launching, navigating and refueling itself.

By Guy Norris

4647

FUTURE VERTICAL LIFT

Collective Concern

Washington Even as high-speed rotorcraft demonstrators begin to take shape under Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky/Boeing teams, the U.S. Army has sown confusion about its priorities under the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiative. Bell and Sikorsky/Boeing are on track to fly their Joint Multi-Role (JMR) technology demonstrators late in 2017.

By Graham Warwick

5455

SPACE PROPULSION

ACES High

Washington Los Angeles Main-stage hydrocarbon engines are drawing the most attention and money as the U.S. Air Force and Congress look for a way to shift national security launches off the Russian-built RD-180, but a separate engine competition is underway at the other end of the rockets.